Agenda and draft minutes

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of meeting held on 14 March 2024 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 14^th March 2024 were signed as a correct record.

There were no items of Urgent Business.

To receive declarations by Councillors of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Councillors are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Councillors should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Councillors are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

There were no declarations of interest.

Report of the Licensing Manager.

NB: Item deferred from the meeting of the 14^th March 2024.

The Licensing Manager presented a report which provided detailed budget information for the Licensing Service and set out the proposed fee levels to enable Members to consider setting fees, for a variety of different licences for 2024/25.

It was noted that the item had been deferred from the meeting of the 14^th March 2024 to allow the Principal Accountant to attend the meeting to provide advice to the Committee.

The Committee was advised that the setting of fees was a non-executive function and therefore a matter for the Committee to consider.

It was reported that the Council’s Fees & Charges Policy stated that when setting discretionary charges, the general aim was to cover the cost of the service, accurately reflecting the full cost of the provision including recharges. However, fees must be reasonable and proportionate.

The Committee was advised that it was a requirement of the Council’s Fees & Charges Policy that fees be reviewed annually to ensure that costs were appropriately recovered. It was not lawful however, for the Council to seek to make a profit from licence fees that fall within its discretion.

A full and detailed review of Licensing fees and charges was undertaken in 2023. Prior to this the last full review was completed in 2019; fees were frozen after this in response to the Coronavirus pandemic and to support business recovery.

It was reported that at a meeting of the Licensing Committee in March 2023, members had resolved the following in respect of Licence fees and charges (relating to taxi/private hire and miscellaneous licences only).

“That fees increase, not by the recommended amount, but by 20% (to the nearest pound) now; and to affect a further increase in the following year with a view to achieving full cost recovery in 24/25, accepting that the fee increases may again be above inflation. The reason for the two-stage increase is to smooth the impact on the trade”

The Committee was advised that budgetary information provided by the service accountant had not taken the 2023 resolution into account, so any proposed increase to fees and charges would be based on the current 2023 fees as a baseline.

The Committee was asked to consider the following options;

a. To maintain current fees and charges.

b. Increase fees by 10%, consistent with other fees and charges of the Council.

c. Increase fees by 20% as recommended by the Service accountant.

It was proposed by Councillor Gardiner and seconded by Councillor Bottoms:

“(1) That fees be increased by 10%, consistent with other fees and chargers of the Council.

(2)   That the Licensing Manager be instructed to advertise the fees as part of the statutory consultation.”

Councillor Maddocks proposed a friendly amendment, by way of an addendum, which Councillor Gardiner and Councillor Bottoms, as the proposer and seconder of the original motion, accepted:

“(3) That the Licensing Committee be involved in the fee setting process prior to    November 2024.” 

Upon being put to the vote, 7 Councillors voted in favour, and 1 against,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.